In a heartwarming message from the final frontier, China’s Shenzhou-20 crew aboard its space station marked International Children’s Day on June 1 by sending festive greetings from orbit. The astronauts unfurled a Chinese Young Pioneers (CYP) flag that they carried onboard as a salute to young dreamers across the country.
Launched on April 24 for a six-month mission, the three-person team is led by veteran astronaut Chen Dong. A three-time space traveler, Chen Dong reflected on how wearing the CYP red scarf fueled his childhood ambition: "I remember deciding to become someone useful to society when I first wore it," he shared from orbit.
Rookies Chen Zhongrui and Wang Jie, both making their maiden voyage into space, also opened up about their early inspirations. Chen Zhongrui, who completed his first extravehicular activity (EVA) on May 22, recalled watching Shenzhou launches on TV as a child—moments that ignited his passion for the stars. Wang Jie pointed to the CYP anthem, saying its stirring melody inspired him to carry forward the traditions of exploration and discovery.
Since docking with the station, the Shenzhou-20 crew has not only performed the in-orbit handover with Shenzhou-19 but also carried out a series of space science experiments. Their first EVA on May 22 set a new benchmark for the shortest time between arrival and spacewalk after the station’s completion—a testament to the crew’s rigorous training and China’s growing ambitions in low-Earth orbit.
What childhood dream inspires your journey? Across languages and cultures, imagination takes us all to new heights.
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Chinese astronauts extend Children's Day greetings from space station
cgtn.com
